Variable-speed coasting and braking hub.



w A." 1?. ROGKWELL. VARIABLE QPEED GOASTING AND BRAKING EUB.

APPLIUATIOH FILE? MAY 13, 1904.

Patented June 21, 1910.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1,

Witnesses- A. F ROCKWELL VARIABLE SPEED GOASTING AND BRAKING HUB.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1904.

' Patented June '21, 1910.

EEEEE- which it appertains to make and use the UNITED STATES 1 m OFFICE,

ALBERT F. ROCKWELL; or Bmsi'oL, eonnncrrcor, ASSIGNOR TO THE new DEPARTURE unnvrmromno company, 0F BRISTOL oonnnomovr, A conronnrmn or CONNECTICUT.

VARIABLE-SPEED, 'COASTING AND BRAKING HUB.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT F. ROCKWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bristol, in-thecounty of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Variable-Speed Coasting and raking Hubs; and I do here by declare the fOllOWlI] to be a full, clear, and exact description 0 the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to some.

The present invention relates to driving and braking mechanism for his cles and like vehicles and more particular y to a back pedaling free coasting and braking hub provided with a variable s ecd driving gear.-

In my patent issue Dec. 7,'1$)09,-No.

942520, for variable speed coasting and brak- "free coasting and braking hub provided with ing hubs, there is disclosed a back pedaling a variable speed driving gean'in which the 1nechanisn1 for shifting troni one speed to the other is controlled wholly by the pedals and in which the brake actuator servos also as a fixed element. of a planetary gear arrangement for driving the huhat an in creased speed withrelation to the speed of thespro'c iet Wheel. It IS'lll some cases dcsirab e that means independent of the pedals be em )10 ed for controllixw' the o )cra tions of the various driving clutches, for the reaa son that where lna'nually-operated mechanisn is employed forthis purpose, the manipulat-ions of the edals for permitting driving, c.ozist.in g or raking remain the same as 1nv the case of a simple back rmdahng Coaster brake. I g

The objectoilho present invention is to provide means 'i'mlependont ol' the pedals for.

determining at which of tho t \"o rates of speed, the hub shall be driven.

A further object of the present invention is to improve the connection. hctu pen the: brake actuator and the braking clement.

Further objects of the present invei-ition will appear in connection with the ifollow i 11% description thereof.

0 the. above ends the present invention of the hub mechanism are mounted.

Specification of I etterslatent. Patented J 1 1 21, 1910. Application filed May 13, 1904. Serial No. 207 ,758

connecting the driver directly with the hub shell?"Figf l is a perspective View of the I driver. Fig. 5 iso side elevation of the e5;- panding brake member having one of the retaining plates removed and showing the brake actuator in position. Fig. dis a side elevation of the brake supporting plateand anchoring arni showing the mechanism for operating the controller for the-intermediate clutch sleeve. Fig. 7 is a side elevation showing the brake actuator and controller for the il'iterlnediat-e clutch sleeve in operative relation toward each other,.a portion of the brake actuator heing broken awa I to sho-Wthe'screW thread upon the sleeve. 8 shows in partial section and side elevation the intermediate clutch sleeve. Fig 9 shows in side elevation one inc1nbc1-'oftl1c clutch controller, a portion thercof'being broken away to show one of the pins which engages with the screw thread on the clutch control? ling sleeve.

7 Similar reference characters will be used t-hroughrmt the specification and drawings to indicate likcpart-s.

it indicates the hub shell having the usual flanges a and (L for receiving spokes, and

15 represents the usual stationary axle which is, supported within the rear fork 'ofthe bicycle and upon which the componentparts A driving sprocketor gear v(l'ot' any usual or dcsiredfornn is located a jacent one endof the hub and is screwed or otherwise securedto' the driver C the driver beingl supported at one end upon balls 0 seate teeth D WhlCll are adapted to mesh with .the positioning of the .on the brake rings against which the dogs abut.

' actuator serves to give a uniform applica 4D 'shaped so as to form a clutch face'E adaptupon the cone bearing 0 The driver is pro sharp pitch.

- retaining plates al and into the supporting rotated, and furthermore, since the teeth 1) O and are provided with internal spiral grooves or threads e and g, respectively,

' ward .pedaling the screw thread moves videri with an external bearing 0 upon which are seated the hub su porting balls 0. The sleewe C of the river projects within the hub and is provided with external screw threads or ribs (3 having a Suitable braking mechanism D is located at the o posite end of the hub and consists preferab y of a plurality of oen spring rings (Z adapted to be expander against a braking surface A? within the brake drum A of the hub shell. Lugs (13 located near corresponding ends of the brake rings engage with studs d which pass through the plate d. The supporting plate is provide with an anchoring arm (Z which is secured to a fixed portion of the bicycle frame. It is evident that through this arrangement one end of each brake ring abuts against plied to the other end of the rin the ring can ield only by expanding an not by a bodi y moveinent. 'Pivoted dogs cl pro ect int'c' 'the open spaees of the rings, and, by turning the dogs in one direction; the brake rings are expanded against the brake drum; while rotation 'of the dogs in the opposite direction is prevented by means of ips d The dogs for expanding the brake rings are operated by the brake actuator JD about the periphery of which are formed gear similar teeth d upon the dogs. This toothed connection betweenthe dogs and the brake tion of pressure'upon the dogs as they are extend throughout the circumference of the brake actuator, a very convenient means is afforded for assembling the parts, inasmuch as no particular attention need be given to brake actuator. when it is set in place. c

, Two clutch sleeves, namely, the main clutch sleeve E and the intermediate clutch sleeve G, are mounted upon the driver sleeve which mesh with the threads 0? of the driver,

sleeve. V

The exterior of the clutch sleeve E-ls coneed to engage with a complementary clutch face A: within the hub shell U "on vforthe-clutch sleeve E laterally until it is forced into close contact with the clutch face on the hub shell, whereupon upon a continued forward" movement of t e sprocket wheel, the hub shell travels with it and at thesame 'and "G: respectively.

speed. Upon holding the pedals stationary, while the hub shell continues to rotate and upon back pedaling, the clutch' -sleeve E is released from the hub shell, thereby permitting the hub' shell to run independently of the driving mechanism.

The intermediate clutch sleeve G is formed with an interior flari g'ic utch face ur adapted to coiiperate with a complementary clutch face D upon the brake actuator D The arrangement of the parts is such that upon turning the sprocket wheel in a forward direction the intermediate clutch sleeve G is moved laterally and away from the brake actuatorea suflicient, distance to keep the clutch faces GP and I) out of contactwith each other; while upon backward pedaling the intermediate clutch sleeve is moved toward the brake actuator, bringing the two clutch faces into operative engage ment, whereupon, upon a further backward turning of the sprocket wheel, the brake ctuator is likewise turned in a backward e1- rection, thereby rotating the dogs and applying the brake. i

The mechanism for driving the hub shell at an increased speed consists of a sleeve F flanged at one end'as at F and provided with internal and external ball seats f and f. Balls f rest upon a bearing d upon the brake actuator and engage with the seats f to su port the sleeve F,- while a second set of balls f rest upon the external scat f and serve to support one-end of the hub shell.

Upon the flange F of the sleeve F are journaled a series of pinions F these pinions being preferably mounted upon stub shafts F passing through the flange F and through an annular retaining'plate If, the shafts being held to the flange in any suitable manning, as b means of pins V f; The pinions f are preferably supported on ,balls f which are seated within bearings f in the interior of the pinions and bearings f and f5 upon the stub shafts F and collars F 'spectively:- The gear teeth D u on the brake actn ator are madeof a leng sufiicientr notonly to accommodate the brake expan'di gs,

but also to enable them to internies with p the. teeth: u on ths-pinions'ivhen the parts are assemb ed. The pinionslin turn mesh with the gear teeth A} within the hub shell.

The sleeve F and the intermediate clutch sleeve G are formed with complementary internal and external conical clutch faces F When otherwise free a forward turning of the sprocket wheel causes the intermediate clutch sleeve to be shifted laterally until the clutch face G and F are brought into engagement, wh theupon a further forward turning oftlrb sprocket wheel results indrivin the sleeve F at the same speed as that of t e sprockett seems wheel, and therefore the hub shell at'a high rate of speed, depending upon the proportion of the planetary gear system.

H is a controller for preventing the sleeve F from actin as. a driving agent, except when it is des red that it shall so set. This controller consists of a sleeve ll slidingly mounted upon the axle, together with. means for moving itto and fro. One end of this sleeve projects within the intermediate clutch sleeve G and is provided with a ball seat. it containing balls 71 which project into an elongated seat g within the clutch sleeve G. The balls' it serve as hearings to support the intermediate clutch sleeve and also, when in the position shown in Fig. 1, as a stop for holding the sleeve against lateral movement towardthe clutch' face F" of the sleeve F.

'When the parts are in the position shown in Fig; 1, the hub shell is driven-directly from the driver C at the. same rate of speed. as that'of the, driver.v When it is desired to bring the auxiliary driving mechanism into play, theeontrnller sleeve li moved toward the right, enabling the intermediate clutch sleeve G to be drawn far-- ther upon the drivin 1 sleeve C until the clutch. faces G? and contact with each other, whereupon the hut; shell is driven at an increased speed in the manner hereto fore described.

Any desired means may be employed for operating thesleeve H". Suitable mach-am isms for this purpose, such. shown in the drawings, consist of a shortsleeve H nested within the outer end of the brake actuator and havin pins fl or a screw thread engaging wit 1 ascrewthread it upon the endv of the sleeve H Upon the outer end of the sleeve H are formed gear teeth 71. (see Fig. (3) which intermesh with teeth 1." upon a pivoted sector H The gear teeth lr" form a shoulder upon the sleeve H which abuts. against the outermost retaining plat-e d, this construction holding the sleeve H against latel'al movement. The sector I] is seated within a recess al on the inner face of the supporting plate d and is providedwith a hub 71. which projects through an opening (2 in the adjusting plate. -An arm H .is secured to the hub of the sector without the supporting plate, the sector )y held securely in position upon the supporting plate and yet free to oscillate. It is evident that an. oscillation of the arm or lever H produces a corresponding motion in the sector and that the oscillation of the sectorin turn partially rotates the sleeve H thereby shifting the sleeve H to the right or to the left according to the direction of movement of the arm or lever H'. When the sleeve H is shifted to the right .the intermediate clutch sleeve is released pended claims.

' tuator for enabling the driver to shift the clutch sleeve laterally to clutch the driver to the auxiliary driver F. When it is desired to again resort to the low speed, thepedals are held stationary, whereupon the auxiliary driver releases itself from the intermediate clutch sleeve; and upon shifting the controller sleeve H? to theleft, the intermediate clutch sleeve is positively heldout of engagement with the auxiliary driving sleeve, and 'the hub may then be driven directly by means of the clutch E. I

It is thought that the operation of the various elements has been described sufiiciently in connection with the fore oing description of thefclements themse ves, and further description of the operation thereof.

istherefore deemed unnecessary; I

Although the componentparts of my improved mechanism have been described in' detail in order-to clearly disclose the present invention, I desire it to be understood that the present invention is not limited to such.

details of construction except to the extent that such details may be included in the ap- Having descmbed my invention, I claim I as new and desire to protect by Letters Pat ent of the United States l. The combination with. a 'hub provided with a clutch, and a driver, of a. shift-able clutch cooperating with said huh-clutch, shitting; connection between said. shifte'hle clutch. and said driver, a shiftable controller for said shiftable clutch, a reciprocatory acaid controller, and threaded 'operating nest-ion between said actuator and sent mntroller; substantially as descnbed.

2. The combination witha hub provided with a Cll clutch cooper shifting connection between said shifts-hie and a driver, of'a shift-able 105. sing with said hub-clutch,

clutch and said driver, a shil'table controller r for said shiftab'lc 'clutcln'. a rookable 'collaif u provided with teeth and having threadedconneetion with said controller, and a" toothed segment engaging the teeth of said collar; substantially as described.

3. The combination with a hub provided I with a clutclna driver, a brake plate, and'a brake supported by said plate andcoiiperating with said hub of a shiftable clutch c'o operating with said hub-clutch shifting connection between said driver and said shiftating with said hub, of a shiftable clutch cooperating with said hub-clutch, shifting connection between said driver and said shiftable clutch, a shiftable controller for said, 5 shiftable clutch, a collar rockably mounted upon said brake. plate and having shifting connection with said controller, and'a segment mounted upon said brake plate to reciprocate thereon and having operative con .nection with said collar; substantially'as described.

5. The. combination with-an ax1e,a hub about the same and providedwith a clutch, a driver, a brake plate, a brake supported thereby and coiiperatingwith said hub, and a hollow brake actuator upon said axle, of a shiftable clutch cooperating with said hubclutch, shifting connection between said shittable clutch and said driver, a shiftable controller extending through said hollow brake actuator and having engagement with said shiftable clutch at one side of said brake actuator, and means at the other side of said .brake actuator for shifting said controller;

substantially as described.

6. The combination'with an axle, a hub about the same and provided with a clutch, a driver, a brake plate, a brake sup sorted thereby and cooperating with, said hu and 30 shiftable clutch cooperating with said hubclutch, shifting connection between salcl slnftable clutch'and said driver, a shifta-ble controller extending through said hollow clutch, shi'ftable clutch and said driver, H/ Slilifbflblb a hollow brake actuator uponsaid axle, of a brake actuator, and an actuator for said controller and also extending into the hollow of said brake-actuator; substantially as described.

7. The combination with an axle, a hub about thesame and provided with a. clutch, a driver, abrake plate, a brake supported thereby and cooperating with said hub, and

' a hollow brake actuator upon said axle, of a shiftable clutch cooperating with said hubshifting connection between said controller extending through said hollow fbrake actuator, a rockable COIlaIQlkQld. be

tween-said brake plate and said bra e-actu-- ator. and .havin a portion extending into the hollow of said brake-actuator, andshif t 'ing connection between said collar and 'said controller; substantially as described;

8. Driving and brake mechamsjm'hav n n combination a hub shell having lnterna a pivoted dog engaging 'With the brake member and meshing with the teeth of the brake actuator, and a pinion, meshing with the teeth within the hub and those upon the brake actuator; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ALBERT F. ROCKWELL. Witnesses: Y

W. E. WIGHTMAN, CHAS. R. RILI Y.

V gear teeth, a brake, a toothed brakeactuator, 1 

